Self-Enhancement and Self-Criticism in Japanese Culture

A large number of cross-cultural studies have shown that Japanese tend to exhibit less self-enhancement and more self-criticism than North Americans. Using Heine, Takata, and Lehman's experimental paradigm, the present study sheds light on the conditions under which Japanese exhibit self-enhancement. Replicating Heine et al.'s study, it was found that Japanese tend to be self-critical when they are under a competition-free situation and feel some affective bonds to others, namely, those with whom they have an Uchi (inner) relationship. On the other hand, Japanese tend to display self-enhancement as much as their North American counterparts in a situation where they have to be competitive with someone to whom they are not affectively related, or one with whom they have a Soto (outer) relationship. It was suggested that one crucial determinant of whether self-enhancement or self-effacement/criticism is predominant in Japanese culture is the quality of the interpersonal relationship.